T-37 (tank)

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T-37 reconnaissance tank
Amphibious light reconnaissance tank T-37

Amphibious light reconnaissance tank T-37
General properties
crew 2
length 3.73 m
width 1.94 m
height 1.84 m
Dimensions 3.2 tons
Armor and armament
Armor approx. 4–8 mm
Main armament 1 × 7.62mm machine gun
agility
drive 4-cylinder gasoline engine GAZ -AA
29 kW (40 PS)
suspension Coil spring
Top speed 55 km / h
Power / weight 9.06 kW / t (12.5 PS / t)
Range 185 km

The T-37 was a Soviet amphibious reconnaissance tank developed on the basis of the British Carden-Lloyd tank. Several test versions of the tank were built (T-33 and T-44 ); mass production under the designation T-37 began in autumn 1933.

Development and production

The T-37 light main battle tank was developed by chief designer NN Kozyrew (and, after his arrest, Nikolai Alexandrovich Astrov ) and went into production in 1933. By 1936, a total of 2627 units were built in Plant No. 37 (Sawod No. 37) in Moscow .

Versions

T-37: The first version of the tank had serious flaws - the riveted outer shell was not waterproof. Only 70 pieces of this version were produced.

T-37A: The outer shell has been redesigned to ensure watertightness. The riveted cover was replaced by a welded one. About 2,600 of this version were produced from 1933 to 1936. The armament consisted of a 7.62 mm machine gun . The tank was only used for reconnaissance purposes in poorly defended areas.

T-37A in Strängnäs August 12, 2011

Use in the Wehrmacht

Captured T-37s were mostly used by the Wehrmacht under the designation 731 (r) in security units in the occupied hinterland of the Soviet Union or as tractors. When used as a tractor, the tank turret was often removed. Infantry units also use the T-37 as a reconnaissance vehicle. Air force security units for airfields also use the T-37. German units partially replaced the tank turret with German machine guns or 2 cm machine cannons with a protective shield.

Technical specifications

Panzerkampfwagen T-37
0 General characteristics
crew two soldiers
Combat weight 3.5 t
Ground pressure 0.53 kg / cm 2
length 3.75 m
width 2 m
height 1.82 m
Ground clearance 30 cm
Chain width 21 cm
0 armament
Main armament 1 MG
Secondary armament
Combat load HW 585 rounds
Combat load MG
0 mileage
engine 4-cylinder gasoline engine GAZ-AA
cooling water
Displacement 3.3 l
Bore / stroke 98.4 / 108 mm
maximum rotation 2200 rpm.
PS 40 hp
Motor effectiveness 12.5 hp / l
Power to weight ratio 11.4 hp / t
transmission four forward gears, one reverse gear
Speed ​​limit road 35.5 km / h
Fuel supply 100 l
Range road 185 km
Range terrain 115 km
steering Steering brakes
Rollers 4th
suspension Coil spring
Wading ability 120 cm
0 armor
Tub bow 10 mm
Tub side 10 mm
Tub rear 5 mm
Tub roof 5 to 7 mm
Tub bottom 5 mm
Tower front 10 mm
Tower side 10 mm
Turret stern 10 mm
Tower roof 5 mm

literature

  • Свирин М. Н .: Броня крепка. История советского танка 1919–1937. (Swirin MN The armor is solid. The history of the Soviet tank 1919–1937. ) «Eksmo», Moscow 2007, ISBN 5-699-13809-9 .
  • Robert Jackson: tanks: models from around the world from 1915 to today. Parragon Books Ltd, ISBN 978-1-4075-7742-5 , pp. 51 ff.
  • Alexander Lüdeke : captured tanks of the Wehrmacht - Great Britain, Italy, Soviet Union and USA 1939–45. Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 2011, ISBN 978-3-613-03359-7 .

See also

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Lüdeke: captured armor of the Wehrmacht. 2011, pp. 49-50.
  2. ↑ Thomas L. Jentz : The German Armored Troop 1933-42. Podzun-Pallas Verlag, 1998, ISBN 3-7909-0623-9 , p. 282.